Lavrov told a media
conference on Thursday that Russia will welcome a revived
partnership:“I want
to say with all honesty: we are receiving signals from our NATO
partners that it wouldn't hurt to renew cooperation between our
military departments. If there are any specific proposals to that
end, we will certainly react in a constructive
way,”he
assured.

Lavrov was speaking to the media with his German counterpart
Frank-Walter Steinmeier after the two had paid their respects to
the memorial mass graves of Russian and German soldiers in
Russia’s Volgograd. Formerly known as Stalingrad, the city was
the scene of the bloodiest battle in World War II and possibly in
the history of warfare.

While taking part in commemoration ceremonies, Steinmeier
apologized for Nazi Germany’s actions: “I'm bowing to these
sacrifices – and doing so mournfully. I bring my apologies on
behalf of Germany for all the immeasurable sufferings that the
Germans brought here.”

Sergey Lavrov told the media he had earlier received information
from Brussles that direct phone lines had been restored between
NATO and Russia. The German Foreign Minister stressed the lines'
necessity: “In the current conflict situation, and the
conflict is there and it cannot be denied, such contact is
necessary, because some steps, some actions are often
misinterpreted.”

“During the whole time that the crisis in Ukraine has been
taking place, we've had increased military exercise activity on
both sides,” Steinmeier said. “It is important that
there is a hotline for both sides to receive information about
it.”

According to Germany’s top diplomat, he had worked to establish
such a hotline: “I have made personal effort to that end
during NATO foreign ministers’ meeting last year. There were, of
course, voices against it, who said it would be a ‘concession.’ I
think that is a wrong position... I am very glad we are now
restoring that exchange of military data.”

Asked about the Ukrainian conflict and the efforts to stabilize
the situation, Sergey Lavrov said progress, albeit slowly, is
being made: “It is difficult, but we are managing to move
forward, maybe one millimeter at a time. This is confirmed by
yesterday's meeting in Minsk, where the need was finally
acknowledged for Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk to speak to each other
directly.”

Lavrov again stressed the need for all sides to adhere to the
Minsk agreements struck between the leaders of Russia, Germany,
France and Ukraine in February. He said Kiev was not too eager to
do it, though: "Looking at the Minsk agreements and what they
say the Ukrainian authorities have to do, it doesn’t take much
effort to see that the Ukrainian government, unfortunately, is
stalling a lot of processes.” This includes an amnesty for
prisoners of war and the lifting of an “inhumane” economic
blockade from eastern Ukraine, Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign minister said there was little doubt of the
Western parties’ commitment to the agreements: “The fact that
Kiev is very passive in adhering to the Minsk deal, is widely
acknowledged. But that doesn't stop our Western partners from
Europe and the US from visiting Kiev. And no-one will ever
suppose they come to Kiev to encourage non-adherence to the Minsk
deal.”